7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Guard your life with all diligence.

12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

1. Be disciplined to bring God into our situation.

2. Be generous to use what we have to serve one another.

3. Be glad that trials refine us.

40b They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. 41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

4. Be committed to our faithful creator.

Have each person share a high and low from this past week.

Guard your life with all diligence.

▶ Read 1 Peter 4:7-19 out loud. Listen for what stands out to you. Share it with the group.

▶ Which mode of generosity means the most to you and why? (Being loving – Showing hospitality – Using spiritual gifts).

▶ What are some “fiery trials” believers face today? How can we embrace them?

Read Acts 5:40b-41. Jesus’ name has power, healing, hope, connection, freedom and more. What one aspect do you want to purposely focus on at this time? How will you do that this week?

Pastor Matt said a prayer to “Bring God into your situation through prayer, so that you won’t carry what you were never meant to carry.” What is a burden you want to intentionally bring to God with your group?